Otty Lake Association

Welcome to the Otty Lake Association Website

Ice thickness can change drastically and be unpredictable. The shoreline adjacent to lakes, rivers and creeks is also very slippery and poses a serious hazard. Falling into open water can result in hypothermia or drowning. The RVCA reminds the public to exercise extreme caution around all waterbodies.

 

 

The Value of Conservation Areas

The Friends of the Tay Watershed (FoTW) is offering a second zoom webinar in their educational series. Dan Cooper, Director of Conservation Areas and Stewardship for our area, will provide an overview. The session is Wed. Jan. 20 at 2 p.m. via zoom. Contact [email protected] for the link.

State of the Lake Report

Nov. 10, 2020. This annual report provides a snapshot of lake conditions and environmental activities. While some programs were limited due to COVID 19, with the help of volunteers we have been able to maintain continuity of data. State of the Lake 2020 is the collaborative effort of Kirsten Brouse, Reid Kilburn and Murray Hunt, with contributions by Derek Smith, Kyla Haley, Rachel Roth, Jenepher Lennox-Terrion and Wally Robins.  

October Captain Otty's Log

We hope you enjoy reading the October issue of the Log. We welcome contributiions from the lake community as well as suggestions for topics you would like covered in future issues.

Lake Links 2020, Sat. Oct. 24

This year's workshop took place by zoom. The morning's theme was "Effective Engagement for Positive Action".

Portable Water Ski Course Application for North Shore Pending

An application has been made to Transport Canada for a portable water ski course on the North Shore opposite Mary Miller Road, where a course has been placed in previous years.. The comment period is now closed. You may be interested in the discussion on the Otty Lake Association Facebook page, where the applicant provides some clarification.

2020 AGM Tues. July 28

Our first AGM by Zoom was free of major technical glitches! If you would like to watch a recording of the meeting please ask for the YouTube link. The minutes have also been posted.

Gypsy Moth Resources

Many Otty Lake residents are reporting gypsy moth infestations in clusters around the lake. We have assembled some resources to help you identify, respond and hopefully manage these outbreaks. 

Crown Island Use

Twenty of the 31 islands in Otty Lake are considered "Crown land". They are owned by the provincial government and managed by Ontario's Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR). The public is free to use them, but camping is not permitted on islands smaller than 200 feet across.

Summer Information Package

Due to the need to maintain physical distance in this time of COVID, our Otty Lake Area Counsellors will not be making their usual door-to-door visits. Instead we are making the information available through this website. Your Area Counsellor remains available to you through email and phone contact.

Etransfer Your OLA Membership Fees

The OLA Board hopes you and your families are staying healthy during these unusual times.  

In order to continue the work and education around the lake, we do rely on your membership dues. Due to the COVID-19 restrictions, it has been decided that our Area Counsellors will not be making their annual visits to your homes with our information packages. Many of you used that opportunity to make you payemnt. Instead, please consider  paying your $25 dues by e-transfer to [email protected]  The security question to input is "Nearest Town", and the answer is "PerthON". Or if you prefer, you can mail a cheque made out to the Otty Lake Association for $25 to Otty Lake Association, Box 20122, Perth, ON K7H 3M6.
 
Thank-you for working together to promote good water quality in Otty Lake, as well as fostering environmentally responsible use of our waters.  And thank you to those of you who have already paid following our April 26 email - much appreciated!

Citizen Science

Want to know how you as an individual can contribute to our collective knowledge of the natural world? There are loads of opportunities for you to participate by sharing your observations of bats, birds, snow, invasive species, butterflies, worms, turtles and more. The Lake Links team put together this list of Ontario programs in preparation for this year's annual workshop.

 

Lake Protection is Everyone's Responsibility

The “Lake Protection Workbook: A Self-Assessment Tool for Shoreline Property Owners” is designed for you to self-assess whether activities and uses on your property are protecting Otty Lake. Your property is important to the overall health of our lake - every action matters. For a printed copy of this workbook, contact [email protected].   

A Shoreline Owner's Guide to

Healthy Waterfronts

This 28 page guide "offers you background information and advice on ways to make the most of your shoreline property while living in balance with your lake’s fragile ecosystem." There are sections on shorelines, docks, low impact recreation, animal proofing, aquatic plants and lots of other issues every lake front dweller should be aware of.

RVCA Watershed Conditions

The RVCA issues periodic Watershed Conditions Statements.   You can access these  statements on the RVCA website or sign up to be mailed updates.

Radon Testing

Elevated radon levels have been found in homes in every region of the country. Long term exposure to radon gas is the second leading cause of lung cancer. The only way to know for sure is to test for radon.

About 90 interested residents attended the evening information presentation at the Perth Pool April 2019. Thanks to our guest speakers: Manual Husain, Health Canada Regional Radiation Specialist and Bob Wood, Radiation Mitigation Specialist with Mr. Radon, who also provided five free Radonova long term home radon test kits.

The local Health Unit makes makes test kits available to residents for $20. Check here as they are not available at all locations.

Ticks and Lyme Disease:

This presentation by the Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit was given to the Lake Networking Group in mid April 2018.

 

Tips for high risk areas from the Canadian Lyme Disease Foundation.

 

What what you need to know about tick removal, how to recognize the Lyme Disease rash, and how Lyme disease is diagnosed.    

Black Bears around Otty Lake

Bears Bears are frequently seen in the Otty Lake watershed, and can peacefully coexist with residents.   Educate yourself on their behaviour in case you encounter one.  Bears are attracted to food of any kind, so be careful how you deal with garbage, fruit trees, barbeques and bird feeders. Generally, bears want to avoid humans. Most encounters are not aggressive and attacks are rare.

Emergency: Call 911.

If people, pets or livestock are in immediate danger.

Non Emergency: Call 1-866-514-2327

The Bear Wise reporting line (between April 1 and November 30). A bear passing by, in a tree, breaking into garbage, emptying bird feeders etc.

From Dec 1 to March 31, contact your local MNRF District office. The Kemptville office is (613) 258-8204.

 

 

 

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